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Traffic lights destroyed by drunken driver to be fixed

By Greg Yee The Daily Times

Updated:
12/26/2012 09:57:25 PM MST

AZTEC — Downed traffic lights at the intersection of Aztec Boulevard and Light Plant Road will not be fixed until New Year’s Eve, according to New Mexico Department of Transportation officials.The traffic lights were disabled after a suspected drunk driver crashed into an electric utility control box at the intersection during a police pursuit at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 23.Repair crews will not be able to fix the control box until Dec. 31 because of a winter storm, said Ruben Garcia, department traffic engineer for the region.Four stop signs have been set up to regulate traffic in the interim.“It should be a one-day repair,” he said.The pursuit began at 1:30 a.m. on Monday after Kenosha Long, 24, of Farmington, was pulled over by Aztec Police Department Patrolman Ram Jarzyniecki for speeding, said department Capt. Troy Morris.There were two other passengers in the car.“The officer made initial contact, but had to go back to his vehicle to retrieve his personal (microphone),” Morris said.Long took off going west-bound on Aztec Boulevard for about 1.3 miles, he said.“She tried to turn right onto Light Plant Road, but was going too fast to negotiate that turn,” Morris said.Long then crashed into the control box.One female passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center but was cleared and released shortly after being admitted, Morris said.

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Long was arrested on suspicion of speeding, driving while intoxicated, driving on a revoked license, driving with an open alcohol container and resisting and evading arrest, he said.Monday night’s incident is Long’s third DWI arrest.Her recorded blood alcohol content was 0.16 at the time of detention, Morris said.The Aztec Police Department has criteria for pursuits. Whether Monday’s incident met these standards is under review, Morris said.